Jet-type propulsion equipment for boats



Feb. 26, 1957 w. H. GRUBER 2,782,771

JET-TYPE PROPULSION-EQUIPMENT FOR BOATS Filed May 28, 1954 2Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 26, 1957 w. H. GRUBER 2,782,771

JET-TYPE PROPULSION EQUIPMENT FOR BOATS Filed May '28, 1954 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 72 73 MW/dl/i 611/6 tar-TYPE PROPULSIONEQUIPMENT non BOATS William H. Gruber, Kansas City, Mo. Application May28, 1954, Serial No. 433,109

Claims. 01. 122-47 This invention relates to self-propulsion equipmentfor boats and particularly to the generation and novel use of steamunder pressure as the motive power for boats.

The most important object of the present invention is the provision ofan underwater, directional nozzle through which steam under pressurejets to drive a boat by the reaction of the steam jet to a body of watercarrying the boat.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide awaterfiow tube into which the nozzle discharges, the flow of waterthrough the tube responsive to itd S a es Patent the steam jet beingalso the primary means of steering 1 the boat.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a steamgenerator includinga water drum and a source of combustion within afireproof compartment, the walls of the latter being associated with theboat as integral, structural elements thereof.

With these and other objects in view, the propulsion equipment for boatsof the present invention generally comprises a steam generator which ismounted within a boat; a rotatable steering column through which steamunder pressure travels to a directional nozzle on the lowermost end ofthe steering column; and various steam con trol means associated withthe equipment, including a safety valve, a throttle valve and afeedwater pump for maintaining the water level within the water drum.

Other objectives include the provision of a rudder section on thesteering column; an auxiliary feed line leading from the pump to thewater drum; and many, more minor objects which will become apparent inthe following specification and from a study of the appended drawings,wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary, side, eelvational view of a boat having thepropulsion equipment of the present invention associated therewith,parts being broken away and in section to reveal details ofconstruction.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, rear elevational view of the boat andpropulsion equipment shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, transverse, cross-sectional view taken on lineIII--III of Fig. 4, parts being broken away for clarity.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view taken on line IVIV ofFig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal crosssectional viewtaken on line V-V of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, top view as indicated by the line VIVI of Fig.2.

Referring now to the drawings, the boat with which the jet-typepropulsion equipment of the present invention is adapted for use isdesignated broadly by the numeral 10, the stern section only of the boat10 being illustrated in the drawings. Viewing Figs. 1, 3 and 4, it isnoted that a fireproof compartment 12 is bounded on all sides by firewalls 14, all of which are integrally attached to the boat 19, asstructural elements thereof.

A steam generator designated broadly by the numeral 16 (Fig. 3) issituated within compartment 12.and consists generally of a U-shapedwater drum 18, a U-shaped fire tube 20 within drum 18 and a fire box 22,the latter being integrally attached to adjoining fire walls 14. Theupper leg of drum 18 is'mounted on upper fire wall 14 by means ofU-shaped hangers 24, while the lower leg of drum 18 fits within firebox22, as shown in Fig. Thus the drum 18 and the fire tube 20 may beremoved and replaced upon disassembly of one of the fire walls 14.

A source of combustible material (not shown) supplies burners 26 whichextend into the compartment 12 from a manifold 28. Viewing Figs. 3 and4, it is seen that the center burner 26 extends'into fire tube 20whereas the outer burners 26 extend into compartment 12. The upper andlower legs of drum 18 are interconnected by opposed rows of arcuatecross-connectors 30 which enhance the natural circulation of waterwithin drum 18. An opening 32 in fire box 22 is normally closed by afireproof door (not shown), which renders the fire box 22 accessible forlighting off burners 26. The rear fire wall 14 is provided withconventional exhaust outlets 31 which communicate with compartment 12and which have bafiles 33 therein.

In' the construction of drum 18, it is to be notedthat the legs thereofare spaced, and that drum 18 is free for uniform expansion orcontraction in any direction, without imparting stresses to anyparticular section of the drum 18.

For the reasons detailed in the last paragraph, the U-shapedconfiguration of drum 18 and fire tube 20 are of primary importance inthe disclosure of the present invention. Manifestly, when suchadaptations become fully practicable, the equipment of thepresentinvention will be of the utmost importance and utility in boats andwaterborne craft having other design characteristics than the boat 10chosen for illustration.

Steam which is generated within drum 18 escapes therefrom through ariser 34, the latter being coupled with a lateral conduit 36 by means ofa union joint 38.

Joint 38 threadably receives safety apparatus designated broadly by thenumeral 4% and including a pressure gauge 4-2, a safety valve 43 havinga stem 44, and a laterally extending blow-off pipe 46. A throttle valve48 having a handle 50 and a closure cap 52 also forms a part of lateralconduit 36.

56. A spindle 58 rotates with column 54, relative to joint 56, and isadapted to receive steering apparatus (not shown). Manifestly, thenormal path of travel of steam generated Within drum 18 is upwardlythrough riser 34, through conduit 36 and into hollow column 54.

There is provided at the lowermost end of column 54 a restricted neckportion 60, the latter being closed by a laterally extending nozzle 62.It is to be noted that steam discharging from nozzle 62 enters anelongated tube 64 through which water freely flows as steam jets fromnozzle 62. The tube 64 is rigidly mounted on neck portion 60,substantially perpendicular thereto, and has an opening 65 whichreceives the nozzle 62. The tube 64- has a restricted diameter at theoutlet end thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. A rudder 66circumscribes the neck portion 60 and terminates in a pair of fins 68which are parallel with tube 64 and nozzle 62.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 3 and 6, the embodiment of the presentinvention chosen for illustration includes, as an element thereof, afeedwater pump 70 having a suction line 72 which terminates below thewater line of boat It) exteriorly thereof. The outlet of pump 70 isdirected to the drum 18 by either of two paths of travel, depending onthe water level therein, as indicated in a Patented Feb. 26, 1957 gaugeglass 74 having arms 76 and 78 communicating v with drum 18. When thewater level in drum 18 is low, a valve 80 in feed line 82 may be openedto permit rapid filling of drum 18. When the water level in drum 18normal, the valve 80 may be closed, and feedwaiter from pump 70 willenter drum 18 o nly through feed service line 84 which terminates withindrum 18 a spray tip 86. Manifestly, the pump .70 is driven by steamunder pressure which enters'through a steam line 88, the latter beingcoupled to riser 34 by means of a 'valve 90. A check valve 92 isprovided in feed line 82, in the event an excessive back pressure buildsup either within drum 18 or pump 70. i

In operation, assuming awater level in drum :18, lighting 01? of theburners 26 serves to build up a pressure within drum 18 and to generatesteam therein. At this stage, steam valve 90, feed valve 80 and throttlevalve 48 are closed. When a sufiicient head has been developed, openingof steam valve 90 an-d feed valve 30 will drive the pump 70 and deliverfeedwater to the drum 18 through feed line 82 until a proper level isindicated in gauge glass 74. At this time, the valves 88 and 91) areclosed, the latter being left slightly open so as to deliver only enoughsteam to pump 70 to maintain feedwater delivery through spray tip 86 offeed service line 84.

Should an excessive pressure head develop Within drum 18, before openingof throttle valve 48, such excess will exhaust through blow-off pipe 46after opening'of safety valve 44. When throttle valve 48 is opened,steam under pressure enters column 54 and discharges therefrom throughnozzle 62 in the form of a jet stream. The boat 10 is driven through thewater in which it has been floated by the reaction of the jet streamdischarging from nozzle 62 on such body of water. Manifestly, a highvelocity stream of water passes through the tube 64 and serves not onlyto drive the boat through the water but also as a means of steering theboat 10, since the column 54, nozzle 62 and tube 64 are rotatable as aunit when spindle 58 is actuated by the steering apparatus (not shown).

Should the gauge glass 74 indicate, at the time the propulsion equipmentof the present invention is to be placed in operation, that there is anexcessively low water level within drum 18, the latter may be filledinitially by swinging suction line 72 upwardly, the latter beingpivotally mounted in a joint 73 on feed line 82.

It is obvious that the embodiment herein disclosed isv a preferred formonly and that many changes or modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the broad principles of the present invention. Suchchanges or modifications are contemplated hereby and it is, therefore,desired to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

' 1. In propulsion equipment, a housing having fireproof walls; aU-shapecl, tubular, water drum having a bight, a first leg and a secondleg, said drum being provided With a water inlet and a steam outlet,said legs being closed at the outermost ends thereof; a fire tube withinsaid drum, said tube extending from end to end of the drum and passingthrough said ends; means mounting said first leg on one of said wallswith the second leg disposed therebeneath; and a source of heat energywithin the housing and discharging into said tube, said outlet and inletbeing in said first leg, said source discharging into said tube adjacentthe outermost end of the second leg.

2. In propulsion equipment as set forth in claim 1 wherein is provided aplurality of cross-connector tubes interconnecting said legs andcommunicating therewith.

3. In propulsion equipment as set forth in claim 2 wherein said sourceof heat energy includes a fire box mounted within said housing andreceiving said second leg of the drum.

'4. In propulsion equipment as set forth in claim 3 wherein siad meanmounting the first leg comprises a plurality of hanger memberssuspending said first leg from the upper wall of said housing.

5. In propulsion equipment, a fireproof housing having upper, lower andside walls; a U-shaped, tubular, water drum having a bight, a first legand a second leg, the

leg being closed at the outermost ends thereof; means suspending saidfirst leg from said upper wall; a fire tube extending through said drumin substantially coaxial alignrnent'therewith; afire box mounted on saidlower wall and receiving said second leg; and a source of heat energywithin the box and discharging into said tube.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

